Better Gaming Through Haptics

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We talk with Dr. Dean Chang about the new TouchSense technology in Black and White.

By IGN Staff

Never let anyone tell you that computer gaming doesn't have an impact on the wider world. Not only have games spurred the development of video and audio technology for PCs, they can now be held responsible for adding another dimension of sensation to computers. We recently met with Dr. Dean Chang, senior director of evangelism and development for Immersion. He talked about the new TouchSense technology that allows gamers to receive tactile cues through their mice. Through the study of haptics (the sense of touch) Dean and his team are finding ways to render tactile sensations through PC peripherals. Overly informed readers will know Immersion as the company that practically owns the force feedback market. Microsoft, Logitech and several other peripheral manufacturers use their technology. Moreover, the Immersion technology has been an official part of DirectX since version 5.

After pioneering work in force feedback, Dean and his team are looking into new ways in which "the sense of touch enhances gaming." He showed off the recently released iFeel optical TouchSense mouse. Gamers receive slight vibrations through the mouse that correspond to their actions on screen. The mechanism for the sensation is a small motor that creates vibrations of varying frequencies and amplitudes. Sharp, metallic themes are created by angular waves while softer, more rubbery themes are created by rounder waves. The size of the wave determines the intensity of the sensation. Anyone can create custom sensations through a handy software program (which is free, by the way) called Immersion Studio. Dean equates it to Photoshop. We were really impressed at the range of sensations that the technology is able to render. There are presets within the iFeel including steel drums, rubber, metallic and spongy sensations. It sounds strange but you can actually tell a real difference between the various vibrations.

Since the iFeel mouse was released last November, it has sold a quarter of a million units. Using the mouse is strange at first, but it soon becomes apparent just how useful this new technology can be. You'll feel a small pulse every time the cursor passes over a link or file in Windows. This might not sound like much, but it definitely increases the speed and accuracy with which you can navigate. But who plays Windows, right? Luckily, there are several games that have already incorporated this new technology into their latest updates. Unreal, Half-Life and Elite Force all use the TouchSense technology to simulate the feel of various weapons in the game. Tribes 2 is just one of many new games that will support TouchSense in the future.

Which brings us to Black and White. The upcoming God simulator will support the TouchSense technology right out of the box. You interact with objects in the game world by using a giant hand and the incorporation of Immersion's new technology enhances your identification with the hand. Peter Molyneux, Managing Director of Lionhead and mastermind behind the new game explains it this way: "In Black and White traditional icons and menus are replaced by an interface that closely resembles our natural interactions in the real world. We view the Black and White hand as an extension of your own hand. Adding tactile sensations has strengthened that illusion of reality behind the screen."

Dean supplied us with a couple of examples of how this might work. Let's say you've picked up some food and put your hand in a nearby lake. As the fish come up to eat out of your hand, you'll feel each and every little nibble through the mouse. When your followers begin to worship you, you'll feel your powers increasing through a heartbeat-like pulse transmitted through the mouse. Apart from these enhancements, there will even be a special side quest for owners of TouchSense mice. You'll need to gather a special vibrating mushroom for a local alchemist. The only way to grab the right mushroom is by passing your hand over them and detecting the vibrations in your mouse.

We've been given a list of almost 100 separate effects that will be included with the game (which should be out this spring, believe it or not). Here's just a partial list of effects you can expect to see in the game if you have a TouchSense enabled mouse:

So we're trying out the new iFeel mouse right now and, so far, we're pretty happy with it. Rather than just being a simple gimmick, the TouchSense technology seems to have lots of practical uses. We'll be bringing you our full review in a week or so. As for when we'll finally get a copy of Black and White, well, that's another story entirely...